I know probably very few of you reading this will understand the circumstances this comes from, but it is a good message nonetheless. I'm just copying and pasting part of an email from someone close who has been dealt a rotten hand and is dealing with it in the most amazing and inspiring way I can think of:
"I've thought a lot about The Atonement and Repentance in comparison to the Criminal Justice System. It seems to me that justice is far less important than punishment in the CJS. There is talk about rehabilitation, but punishment seems to be the core of the system. I see as much hypocrisy, unfairness, even dishonesty, taught and practiced here as much as in the free world. It feels like we are subject to a frustrated, hate-based culture; overseen by people who hate the inmates, endure their jobs begrudgingly and don't really like each other. There are exceptions, of course, but I know of few. (Some like their jobs too much.) It is a sad environment. Hope is a challenge if one is not properly armed. But as they say...it's prison! :-)
It is also interesting to note the dedication the public seems to have in seeking revenge and punishment for crimes, and how much money they are willing to waste on it. It makes sense to a certain degree, because we has humans are so deficient in our capacity to heal. So, when something bad happens, and since we can't make it better, we look for someone to punish...whether they are responsible or not in some cases. You've heard the saying, "Someone has to go to jail." It's actually a rule.
The Gospel plan is much different. The Savior has the ability to heal, truly heal, not only the sinner, but those who suffer because of the sinner. Having that power allows Him to offer a great gift; forgiveness on condition of repentance. Forgiveness is available in place of punishment because healing is possible. Rather than labeling the sinner forever, He says He will remember the sin no more. Wow! Imagine if that could be put to use in the CJS?
His forgiveness of the sinner is acceptable to the victims, since He heals them, too. For example, suppose Bernie Madoff (the guy that cheated his investors out of 17 billion dollars and is currently serving something like 150 years in prison) truly repented of what he did, sincerely and in acceptable form to the Savior...and was forgiven? How would the victims feel about that? Now suppose that as part of Bernie's healing process, each investor was not only given ten times what he or she lost, but was healed from all anxiety or any other effect Bernie's actions had on them? (Bernie's son was not involved, but the anger was so great against him, he committed suicide.) Would forgiveness be acceptable to the victims, then?
I am grateful to live in this dispensation where we will be privileged to receive the Savior and live at a time where not only justice will be perfect, but mercy, repentance, forgiveness and healing, as well. It is a great honor and a responsibility. Until then, we do all the good we can and learn to live after the manner of happiness in spite of the world around us. We must succeed under conditions as they are. We can and we will. It's our job. It's why we were born at this time.
I am truly grateful for a clear conscience. I am glad I know I don't belong here. I am grateful for friends and family that know that, too. I am grateful for the peace, and even contentment, the Spirit can give in the midst of adversity. I am also grateful for the sure knowledge that our Heavenly Father lives; that we are his literal children; that He is the literal father of our spirits. He loves us and he wants us to return home with honor. He has given us all we need to get there, too; even to allowing His Only Begotten Son to be sacrificed so we would not have to suffer because of our failures, if we chose. I am really glad that this life, this world, is only a test, and that it is designed for us to ace if we will accept the Holy Ghost as our tutor and Christ as our Savior. I am thankful for the "do overs" He offers and the healing he alone can provide."
I'm grateful that I've been given some of the most amazing opportunities ever. Ever. If I think of my hand compared to the millions or even billions in the world who struggle with survival, all reason to complain is squashed. If you're reading this, you should be dedicating yourself to thanking God more often than you complain. He gives us so much.
How lucky we are!
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